2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

There’s still over two months until the NFL Draft, but that doesn’t mean we can’t look ahead with the first Mock Draft of the off-season! Check out my 2026 NFL Mock Draft 1.0, and see who your team might be targeting come April!

1. LAS VEGAS – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Raiders pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, Edge

Lock this up. Vegas needs a new starting quarterback, and HeisMendoza is the best one available.

2. N.Y. JETS – Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State

Jets pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, CB, WR, DL

With Mendoza off the board and no other QB worth this pick, Gang Green beefs up a porous defense. Reese has versatility that would fit the Jets defense well, as he can play at both edge rusher and off-ball linebacker.

3. ARIZONA – David Bailey, EDGE ,Texas Tech

Cardinals pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, Edge, S, DL

Arizona has needs on the offensive line, but upgrading the defense has to be a priority. David Bailey was one of the better edge rushers in college football over the last two seasons.

4. TENNESSEE – Rueben Bain Jr. ,EDGE, Miami (FL)

Titans pre-free agency needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, S

New head coach Robert Saleh needs to keep building Tennessee’s defense. Bain Jr. lacks prototype length and explosiveness, but is an absolute wrecking ball. He would join T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons, giving the Titans one of the most physically imposing defensive lines in the NFL.

5. N.Y. GIANTS – Francis Mauigoa ,OT, Miami (FL)

Giants pre-free agency needs: WR, OL, CB, LB, DL

The G-men could go wide receiver here, but they really should try to improve the offensive line as much as possible. Francis Mauigoa started every game at right tackle in his career, and will slide right in opposite Andrew Thomas.

6. CLEVELAND – Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Browns pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, LB

Adding a true WR1 makes sense here, but the entire starting offensive line is about to hit free agency. Cleveland can’t re-sign everyone, and help at tackle was needed anyway. Spencer Fano started at right tackle the last two years, but he does have starting experience at left tackle.

7. WASHINGTON – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Commanders pre-free agency needs: Edge, CB, WR, LB, TE

Having a chance to support Jayden Daniels might be too tempting to pass up on. Jeremiyah Love was the best running back in the country this season, and would give the Commanders offense the consistent rushing attack they lacked this season.

8. NEW ORLEANS – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Saints pre-free agency needs: Edge, WR, CB, OL, DL

New Orleans appears to have their starting quarterback for next season, so it’s time to build around him. Dipping into the Ohio State Wide Receiver Factory once again seems like a good move. Carnell Tate would slide in opposite Chris Olave, giving Tyler Shough an elite duo at wide receiver.

9. KANSAS CITY – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Chiefs pre-free agency needs: TE, RB, WR, CB, OL

The trend of building around your franchise quarterback continues here. Rashee Rice is great when he is on the field, but he’s a slot guy. Tyson comes with his own injury concerns, but he possesses elite 50/50 ball skills and makes big plays in key spots.

10. CINCINNATI – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

Bengals pre-free agency needs: Edge, OL, CB, DL, S

The Bengals MUST address their defense. If Caleb Downs is somehow on the board, they should run to the podium with the pick. Downs is arguably the top prospect in this class regardless of position, and fills an immediate need on the back end in Cincinnati.

11. MIAMI – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Dolphins pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, CB, S, TE

If you’re not sure about who your starting quarterback is going to be, you might as well beef up the talent around him. Makai Lemon is undersized and probably a slot receiver in the NFL, but he excels with quickness and finding the open area of the field. Tyreek Hill is on his way out, and Waddle needs a running mate.

12. DALLAS – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

Cowboys pre-free agency needs: Edge, S, CB, LB, WR

Dallas absolutely must address their porous defense. Linebackers Kenneth Murray and Jack Sanborn are free agents, while DeMarvion Overshown and Logan Wilson are replacement level guys.

13. L.A. RAMS – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Rams pre-free agency needs: OL, CB, S, WR, QB

The Rams got this pick from the Falcons in last year’s first round trade. Los Angeles has a glaring hole at cornerback, as shown by their struggles in the post season. Delane should be a plug and play guy on the outside.

14. BALTIMORE – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Ravens pre-free agency needs: Edge, DL, OL, CB, S

Baltimore has talent at cornerback, but they struggled mightily for most of the season. Marlon Humphrey especially was burnt toast all year, allowing the 2nd most receptions in the NFL. McCoy got hurt, but could’ve very well ended up a top ten pick if he didn’t.

15. TAMPA BAY – C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Buccaneers pre-free agency needs: Edge, LB, CB, TE, DL

The Bucs have needs all over the defense, but especially at linebacker, where three players are free agents including Lavonte David. Allen is an upper echelon run stuffer and excellent locker room presence.

16. N.Y. JETS – Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State

Jets pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, CB, WR, DL

Alijah Vera-Tucker (who missed the year due to injury again), and John Simpson are free agents. Even if they keep Joe Tippmann at one guard spot, adding a quality young starter on the other side is a good idea.

17. DETROIT – Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Lions pre-free agency needs: Edge, DL, OL, CB, S

Detroit has a huge need at defensive end opposite superstar Aidan Hutchinson. They tried rotating a few guys at that spot, but they’re all free agents – and weren’t that great anyway. Howell needs work in the run game, but has a high ceiling and an explosive first step.

18. MINNESOTA – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Vikings pre-free agency needs: S, CB, OL, WR, LB

Minnesota’s pass defense was a strength this season, but they are in need of another cornerback. Outside of Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers, no Vikings corner played more than 249 snaps. Hood is a man to man cover corner with excellent speed and ball skills.

19. CAROLINA – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Panthers pre-free agency needs: OL, Edge, LB, S, CB

Carolina has other needs, but this is another example of “help your young, franchise quarterback”. The Panthers have nothing special at tight end, and Sadiq is an absolute mismatch as a receiver at the position.

20. DALLAS – Peter Woods, DL, Clemson

Cowboys pre-free agency needs: Edge, S, CB, LB, WR

Even after acquiring Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, the defense didn’t dramatically improve. Sonny Styles is a good start, but more help is needed. Woods has elite physical traits, and the talent to go a lot higher than this.

21. PITTSBURGH – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Steelers pre-free agency needs: QB, WR, CB, S, OL

Pittsburgh has a ton of defensive backs hitting free agency. Regardless of who returns, the Steelers will likely need at least one starter at cornerback. Terrell has elite athleticism and ball skills, and would form a solid duo with Joey Porter Jr.

22. L.A. CHARGERS – Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn

Chargers pre-free agency needs: OL, Edge, DL, S, CB

The Chargers’ four man defensive line rotation wasn’t overly impressive this season, and Da’Shawn Hand is a free agent. Faulk is an NFL ready run stuffer, with the prototype size to start at defensive end in Los Angeles’ 3-4 front.

23. PHILADELPHIA – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Eagles pre-free agency needs: Edge, CB, TE, OL, S

Lane Johnson missed the last couple of months of the season due to injury and is close to retirement. Fred Johnson filled in, but he wasn’t very good and is a free agent. Proctor is a massive human (6’7″, 360+ lbs), and absolute mauler in the ground game. He was a left tackle in college, but can transition over to the right side and learn from one of the best.

24. CLEVELAND – Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Browns pre-free agency needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, LB

Maybe Cleveland decides to wait until next year for their quarterback, and take the best player available here. If the Browns think Simpson can be a starter sooner than later, he wouldn’t be a bad pick late in the first round, though. I don’t think Simpson should be a first round pick at this point, but QB’s get pushed up the board on Draft day.

25. CHICAGO – Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech

Bears pre-free agency needs: S, DL, CB, Edge, OL

Chicago had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, allowing over five yards per carry. The defensive line group wasn’t very good, Andrew Billings is about to be a free agent, and Grady Jarrett is about to be 33 years old. Hunter is a name that is rocketing up Draft boards after his dominant performance at the Senior Bowl.

26. BUFFALO – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Bills pre-free agency needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, LB

Bishop Cole needs a running mate, Taylor Rapp was awful, and Jordan Poyer is an aging free agent. Thieneman is the type of safety NFL teams are looking for these days. He has excellent athleticism and versatility, producing at both safety spots and even in the slot.

27. SAN FRANCISCO – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

49ers pre-free agency needs: WR, OL, Edge, S, CB

San Francisco’s secondary didn’t perform at a high level this season, and adding a potential starting outside corner has to be high on the to-do list. Cisse has first round physical traits, and is willing as a run defender.

28. HOUSTON – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

Texans pre-free agency needs: OL, DL, RB, LB, Edge

The Texans absolutely must upgrade their offensive line. C.J. Stroud has seen his play fall off the last two years partially due to porous offensive line play. Starting right tackle Trent Brown is a free agent, and Aireontae Ersery might be a better fit at right tackle.

29. L.A. RAMS – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Rams pre-free agency needs: OL, CB, S, WR, QB

Kamren Curl is a free agent who the team may not be able to re-sign. McNeil-Warren has elite length, excels in the box, and would allow the Rams to keep Quentin Lake in the slot. He’s a plus in run support, and ended his college career with nine forced fumbles.

30. DENVER – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Broncos pre-free agency needs: LB, TE, DL, OL, RB

Remember the “build around your young quarterback” theme from earlier in this Mock? Denver might want to capitalize on giving Bo Nix a Cortland Sutton clone. Boston is money in the red zone, and has prototype X-receiver size. He can work on his route running and release for a year behind Sutton, who will be 31 in October.

31. NEW ENGLAND – Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Patriots pre-free agency needs: Edge, OL, DL, TE, S

Ken Walker ran all over the New England defense in the Super Bowl, dropping a season high 135 rushing yards. Adding a girthy nose tackle fresh off a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl could be in the cards.

32. SEATTLE – D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Seattle pre-free agency needs: CB, OL, WR, Edge, RB

Cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Tariq Woolen are both free agents. Even if one is re-signed, Seattle may want to add a quality corner early in the Draft. Ponds is a dog, and one of my favorite players in this class. He doesn’t let his size (5’9″) keep him from competing on the outside – where he was a starter for the Hoosiers.